How long did it take you to become expert about Thailand.

[Travel2003]

Took me a week to become an expert on Thailand.

Then I realized after some time that I was not an expert after all.

After a few years, I had again become a real expert.

But once again, after a while, I realized again I was still not an expert.

Now, after 10++ years, I just have to admit that I never will become anything else than an expat.

[GuestHouse]

Ironically it is the Western Influences and Western Consumerism that are for the most part to blame.

I wish you would stop posting stuff like that, I just spat coffee all over my keyboard.

[cpofc]

my apologies, send me your address and I'll send you a new keyboard. I'll throw in a decent jar of coffee too.

[nottocus]

A couple of days.

[cpofc]

Ironically it is the Western Influences and Western Consumerism that are for the most part to blame.

I wish you would stop posting stuff like that, I just spat coffee all over my keyboard.

Actually I'll answer your post in a less flippant manner. An event that sticks out in my mind.

Roundabout 10 years ago when I returned to live here on a more permanent basis I initially stayed at my Mother In Laws place. During that time my Sister In Law, Husband and kids came over from the states for a holiday. It had been a few years since she had been here.

One afternoon she came back from the local shopping mall, quite worked up. Indeed very agitated she was.

She went on to tell me what she had just witnessed. Throngs of ordinary Thai people descending upon the department stores, big TVs, home theatre systems spewing out of their shopping trolleys. Counters set up, signing people up for instant credit and or credit cards. She went right off. 'What are they doing?' They can't afford all this stuff! How can they ever pay it back?

'What is happening to my country?', she said.

over to you.

[dogeatdog]

House hold dept now standing at 80% GPD. So they say??

[kcore]

Oh my........I thought I was in china!

[I Like Thai]

.

You sound a little upset, somchaiyatt.

Perhaps France does not agree with him (as that seems to be where he's posting from )

But I can see why a Thai or person fond of Thailand might get a bad impression of TV members from many of the posts on TV especially in General and some of the local forums.

If they look closer they will see that it is a vocal minority who are negative and that the frequency with which they post makes them seem like they are more n number than is really the case. And if they take the time to look at some of the more specialized forums they'll find a much more pleasant atmosphere.

Is this not an abuse of your position as a moderator ? You abused this position by locating the posters I.P address in order to score points against him. In doing so are you not being guilty of being the type of poster that you portrayed in your previous posting ?

[EyesWideOpen]

.

You sound a little upset, somchaiyatt.

Perhaps France does not agree with him (as that seems to be where he's posting from )

But I can see why a Thai or person fond of Thailand might get a bad impression of TV members from many of the posts on TV especially in General and some of the local forums.

If they look closer they will see that it is a vocal minority who are negative and that the frequency with which they post makes them seem like they are more n number than is really the case. And if they take the time to look at some of the more specialized forums they'll find a much more pleasant atmosphere.

Is this not an abuse of your position as a moderator ? You abused this position by locating the posters I.P address in order to score points against him. In doing so are you not being guilty of being the type of poster that you portrayed in your previous posting ?

Interesting point..... Perhaps Sheryl could do us all a public service by saying where each poster is posting from. That way the guys who pretend to post from Thailand could be outed... :-) Also good to know

who is posting from France, so scorn can be heaped upon them.....

Edited September 20, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[blackman]

like many on here, i left my brain at the airport when i first came

once i had survived a few challenges, they gave it back to me

only thing missing was the rose tinted glasses i arrived with

[tom21]

i was a expert before i arrived in Thailand from reading forums like thai visa. after living here for 6 years that expertice has been lost.

[maxme]

Facts are one thing -- clairvoyance is another.

...And you know which is which when it comes to the majority of the posters here?

Yes.

Well good for you... Now what I'm I thinking? Wait, wait... I'll give you a hint. It kinda rhymes with culprit...

Edited September 20, 2013 by maxme

[tingtong]

takes about 3 months ( for some a lot less) to become an "expert" on Thailand.

takes about 3 years to realise that you dont know anything near as much as you wish.

from there on, it is the real learning,.... and what a learning it is! LOL

[pilm]

I'm expert enough to know I want almost nothing to do with most Thai people.

I'm cool with it.

[TheSpade]

Can't understand wanting to live in a place where you can't bring yourself to associate with most of the population.

[pilm]

Can't understand wanting to live in a place where you can't bring yourself to associate with most of the population.

Many people say that. But I guess they're just closed minded.

I personally think it's a great country - endlessly entertaining and funny, great for traveling and touring, great for motorbiking, never boring, great for renting, great for so many things really. Associating with people who are mainly educated to the level of a 12 year old child back home, that have also been greatly conditioned, have serious emotional and ego issues, nah, I prefer observing than interacting in that regard.

[frankold]

Can't understand wanting to live in a place where you can't bring yourself to associate with most of the population. 

 

 

Maybe his head isn't so far up his own ass that he thinks 'most of the population' want to associate with him?

[TheSpade]

Associating with people who are mainly educated to the level of a 12 year old child back home, that have also been greatly conditioned, have serious emotional and ego issues, nah, I prefer observing than interacting in that regard.

Stop hanging around with the lower rungs of society and this might be an issue?

I don't personally know anyone with the education level of a 12 year old. Most Thai's I know are fairly intelligent with decent jobs that require them to use their brains.

We can talk about grown up stuff and everything.

[pilm]

^^ Oh yes, I'm sure the feeling is likely mutual.

I'm totally cool with it.

Great way to live, really. Knowing yourself, knowing the society in which you live, and being content with it. I hope ye guys can be as happy as me someday.

Edited September 20, 2013 by pilm

[NBD]

About 3 hours. I was lucky - the first bar I went to had a regular customer who knew everything and everyone, and told me all about it.

[JLCrab]

Facts are one thing -- clairvoyance is another.

...And you know which is which when it comes to the majority of the posters here?

Yes.

Well good for you... Now what I'm I thinking? Wait, wait... I'll give you a hint. It kinda rhymes with culprit...

He asked about the majority -- not ALL -- and the answer is still YES.

There was an old 1930's jazz number in US "When A Congressman Meets a Senator Down South." On Thaivisa, they are not a congressman, they are not a senator, they have never met a congressman nor a senator, and they have never been down south, but they still respond, anyway.

[kirstymelb101]

I doubt even a vast majority of Thai people are expects of Thailand 555+

Edited September 20, 2013 by kirstymelb101

[Johnniey]

At least 10 years plus being able to speak listen Thai to understand many of the cultural nuances.

[pilm]

I hope that 99% of the posters on here (and all farangs in general) will end up as happy as me.

[somchaiyatt]

.

You sound a little upset, somchaiyatt.

Perhaps France does not agree with him (as that seems to be where he's posting from )

But I can see why a Thai or person fond of Thailand might get a bad impression of TV members from many of the posts on TV especially in General and some of the local forums.

If they look closer they will see that it is a vocal minority who are negative and that the frequency with which they post makes them seem like they are more n number than is really the case. And if they take the time to look at some of the more specialized forums they'll find a much more pleasant atmosphere.

Is this not an abuse of your position as a moderator ? You abused this position by locating the posters I.P address in order to score points against him. In doing so are you not being guilty of being the type of poster that you portrayed in your previous posting ?

Interesting point..... Perhaps Sheryl could do us all a public service by saying where each poster is posting from. That way the guys who pretend to post from Thailand could be outed... :-) Also good to know

who is posting from France, so scorn can be heaped upon them.....

Speaking of France and cheese experts on Thai Visa. I would like to offer the following quote as if the poster was an expert. (So you get an idea of what I mean) If Thailand can copy one and master it well then good - until then I'll stick to my imported proper cheese.

I woud submit the following countries with at least two, 3 star Michelin restaurants.

1 Belgium

2 Hong Kong and Macau

3 France

4 Germany

5 Italy

6 Japan

7 Monaco

8 Netherlands

9 Spain

10 Switzerland

I don't think people from other countries should be trusted to comment on food at least not at an expert level. So, I am saying if one wants to know about proper som tom or cheese one needs to ask a person from Belgium or Japan, if you get my meaning. Does a French person know more about rice than a person from Thailand or mainland China? Well yes that is the implication. I mean one needs a palate before one can judge food. If a country can't support at least two 3 star Michelin how would you go about finding people to be food experts?

Do you get the point?

[dogeatdog]

Michelin? ? Dont they make tyres???

[David48]

Speaking of France and cheese experts on Thai Visa. I would like to offer the following quote as if the poster was an expert. (So you get an idea of what I mean) If Thailand can copy one and master it well then good - until then I'll stick to my imported proper cheese.

<snip>

Do you get the point?

You're not really enjoying Thailand ... are you?

.

Edited September 20, 2013 by David48

[dogeatdog]

Ahh yes I got it now.

I must confess I used wikipedia just a little bit.

3 x Michelin??? Correct?

Your a reliant robin fan

[dogeatdog]

See has 3 Michelin's

[somchaiyatt]

Speaking of France and cheese experts on Thai Visa. I would like to offer the following quote as if the poster was an expert. (So you get an idea of what I mean) If Thailand can copy one and master it well then good - until then I'll stick to my imported proper cheese.

<snip>

Do you get the point?

You're not really enjoying Thailand ... are you?

.

That is the second comment about my mood. Odd. Have I said anything negative about Thailand?